Highland Springs

Riverside County, California · Near Cherry Valley
33.9690°N, 116.9420°W · 2,994 ft
112°F 59°F air · Good soaking weather 2,994 ft Roadside Camping nearby (14.4 mi)

Highland Springs sits at the edge of Cherry Valley in Riverside County, under two miles from town. The water comes up hot, warm enough to need care getting in, and a picture is attached. Ownership is blank in the record, as is public access, so this could be private ground. The name is plural; the record describes one point.

Location

Canyon Place comes within about fifty feet of the spring, so reaching it is a matter of a few steps. Elevation is modest, a few thousand feet, in country where winters bring a little snow and not much rain. The record gives no land unit and leaves designation empty, so nothing on file hints at public ownership.

The campground nearest on file is Council, fourteen miles or so away. December through February rate as the best months. At this temperature you want to test the water with a hand before committing a foot. Ownership and access are unrecorded; look for signs before you approach from the road.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Highland Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Highland Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Highland Springs
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the northeast.
Highest ground nearby
267 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northeast
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
93 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 36% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
50°
Jan
50°
Feb
54°
Mar
59°
Apr
62°
May
72°
Jun
78°
Jul
79°
Aug
75°
Sep
66°
Oct
56°
Nov
49°
Dec
Annual Precip: 19.6 in Annual Snow: 8.0 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 50°F · Water 112°F · +63° contrast
December Air 49°F · Water 112°F · +63° contrast
February Air 50°F · Water 112°F · +62° contrast
January offers 30°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
59°F
W 7.2 mph 78% Good soaking weather
Today 83° Low 58° Sunny
Spring is +29° warmer
Wednesday 80° Low 57° Sunny
Spring is +32° warmer
Thursday 81° Low 58° Sunny
Spring is +31° warmer
Friday 84° Low 61° Sunny
Spring is +28° warmer
Saturday 86° Low 61° Sunny
Spring is +26° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Council 14.4 mi away

Overview The Council Group Campground is a great place to enjoy a large outdoor gathering with just about everything the San Bernardino National Forest has to offer. Its location provides a great place for visitors to relax, take in the fresh mountain air and enjoy the beautiful scenery. In addition to a nearby lake and river access, a variety hiking, biking and horseback riding trails can be accessed from the campground. Recreation The campground provides access to the famed Santa Ana River...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
112°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 112°F (44°C)
Avg Air Temp 62°F
Above Ambient +50°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Canyon Place
Distance to Road 54 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Highland Springs?
Highland Springs has a water temperature of 112°F (44°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Highland Springs located?
Highland Springs is located in Riverside County, California at 2,994 feet elevation, near Cherry Valley. Coordinates: 33.9690°N, 116.9420°W.
How do I get to Highland Springs?
Highland Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Canyon Place (54 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Highland Springs?
Yes, Council is located nearby (14.4 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Highland Springs?
With care. At 112°F Highland Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.